Technical Standards Policy

PURPOSE
To inform applicants and students at the UC Davis School of Medicine (i.e., the School) of the non-academic, technical standards required for admission and graduation. Technical standards are required for the accreditation of U.S. medical schools by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

The School has a strong commitment to disability inclusion, above and beyond the minimum nondiscriminatory and compliance-based technicalities of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California law. Students with disabilities contribute to diversity, and we actively collaborate with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and create a respectful, accountable culture.  The School is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of qualified learners with disabilities through our confidential disability support. The School is committed to excellence in accessibility, and encourages students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations. 

AUDIENCE
Applicants, students, faculty, and staff of the School

LCME STANDARD
10.5 Technical Standards

POLICY
DEFINITION

• Candidate: an accepted applicant who has not yet matriculated
• Technical Standards: descriptions of personal attributes and capabilities

1. Technical Standards must be met to be admitted to, for curricular promotion, and graduate from the School.
2. Technical Standards may be met with accommodation.
   1. Accommodation requests are processed through the UC Davis Student Disability Center (https://sdc.ucdavis.edu)
   2. Accommodation is never retroactive; timely requests are essential and encouraged. (See the Disability Accommodation Policy for more details.)
3. The Technical Standards are as follows:
   1. Observation: Students must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in experiments of science and must be able to accurately observe patients and assess findings. Students must, after a reasonable amount of time, be able to obtain a medical history and perform a complete physical examination in order to integrate findings based on these observations and to develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
   2. Communication: Students must demonstrate communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, colleagues, and all members of the healthcare team. Students must be able to communicate with patients to obtain medical history, effectively explain a process or respond to questions, and establish a therapeutic relationship. Students must be able to communicate via English effectively and sensitively with patients and all members of the healthcare team both in person and in writing. 
   3. Examination, Diagnostic, and Procedural Skills (formerly described as Motor Function): After a reasonable period of time, students must be able to perform a physical examination and perform diagnostic procedures and maneuvers appropriate for the assigned area of practice. Students must be able to respond to emergent or urgent situations in a timely manner and provide general and emergency care. Such actions require some coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, balance, and equilibrium. Students must adhere to universal precaution measures and meet safety standards applicable to inpatient and outpatient settings and other clinical activities.
   4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: Students must have sufficient cognitive (mental) abilities and effective learning techniques to assimilate the detailed and complex information presented in the medical student curriculum. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. Students must be able to recall, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and transmit information across modalities. They must recognize and draw conclusions about three‐dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events. Students must be able to formulate and test hypotheses that enable effective and timely problem‐solving in diagnosis and treatment of patients in a variety of clinical modalities.
   5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students must demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities. They must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. They must understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession. Students must be able to interact with patients, their families, and healthcare personnel in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner. They must have the physical and emotional stamina to function in a competent manner in settings that may involve heavy workloads and stressful situations. Students must be able to contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments; accept constructive feedback from others; and take personal responsibility for making appropriate positive changes.
   6. Ethics and Professionalism: Students must maintain and display ethical behaviors commensurate with the role of physician in all interactions with patients, faculty, staff, students and the public. Students are expected to understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within the law and ethical standards of the medical profession.
   7. Legal Standards: Students must meet the legal standards to be licensed to practice medicine in the State of California. As such, candidates must acknowledge and provide a written explanation of any felony offense or disciplinary action taken against them prior to matriculation at the School. In addition, should the student be convicted of any felony offense while in medical school, they agree to immediately notify the Associate Dean for Students as to the nature of the conviction. Failure to disclose prior or new offenses can lead to disciplinary action by the School that may include dismissal. (See the Background Check Policy.)
4. Fulfillment of the Technical Standards for graduation does not mean the graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of any specific residency program.

PROCEDURE

1. Candidates are required to review and attest that they can meet the Technical Standards at the time of matriculation.
2. If at any time a student requires a reasonable accommodation to access the School’s educational program, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the School of their disability and provide adequate documentation of the nature and extent of the disability and the functional limitations to be accommodated. 
   1. See Policy B (above).
   2. Notifying the Associate Dean for Students and the Office of Student Learning and Educational Resources is requested.

RESPONSIBILITY

Candidates - Admissions
Current students - Student Affairs

REFERENCES

UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations - Regulations 60, 70, and 80

RELATED POLICIES
Background Check Policy
Code of Academic and Social Conduct Policy
Disability Accommodations Policy
Evaluation of Student Performance Policy
Narrative Assessment Policy
Professionalism Policy
Satisfactory Academic Progress, Academic Warning/Probation and Dismissal Policy
Standards of Conduct Policy

POLICY OWNER

Office of Medical Education

REVIEWED BY
Admissions Committee
Associate Dean for Students
Committee on Student Promotion
Director of the Office of Student Learning and Educational Resources
Faculty Executive Committee

REVIEW DATE and REVIEW CYCLE

July 2024, 3-year review cycle